1. Lecture 13: Constantine the Great
16 October 2018

2. Introduction Review of Third Century Importance of Constantine
Social and Ecclesial Changes Precipitated by Constantine

3. Review of Third Century
Increased pressure on Rome from Persia and northern barbarians
Political instability; murder and succession of generals as emperors
Between Decius and Diocletian, average reign < one year
Empire-wide persecution of Christians under Decius
Many Martyrs; also many lapsed
Order and stability restored under Diocletian

4. Political Situation at Beginning of Fourth Century: Diocletian
Diocletian becomes emperor in 284.
Very strong ruler
Decides that best way to protect Empire is to divide it between two Augusti (East and West) supported by two appointed Caesars (Augusti in waiting)
Modeled on Five Good Emperors of Second Century
Unleashes worst persecution of all; Great Persecution
Manages to retire and force his co-Augutus, Maximian, to retire with him (305)
Leads to renewed tensions in Empire
Briefly returns to power in 308 to try and restore order

5. Map of Roman Empire: Diocletian’s Divisions http://www. unc

6. After Diocletian A few problems with Diocletian’s plan:
Both Augusti and both Caesars headed their own armies and areas of influence
Except for Diocletian himself, the three other members of this tetrarchy saw this scheme as a way to take over the Empire when Diocletian died
When Diocletian retires, political intrigues and battles break about among the successors:
Constantius, Augustus, controlled England and Gaul, father of Constantine
Severus, Caesar, ruled Rome
Maximius, Caesar in Greece
Galerius, Augustus, in East
When Constantius dies, his troops proclaim his son, Constantine, Augustus (c. 310)

7. Constantine the Great (c. 280-337)
Key battle in Constantine’s take-over of entire Empire was battle of Milvian bridge over Tiber in Rome against Maxentius, son of Maximian in 312.
Constantine credits his victory to a vision he had in which he was told to go into battle with the Christian symbol
Troops carry chi-rho on their shields
By 313 Constantine has captured all of the Empire and officially declared that Christianity was to be tolerated (Edict of Milan)

8. Constantine and Church in Rome
Before he leaves, he ‘gives’ most of Rome to the Pope
That is, he gives the land and buildings of his enemies to Pope
Most important of these is the Lateran Palace (St. John Lateran)
Eighth Century Donation of Constantine
Church overnight becomes the most important landholder in Rome
Converts a few pagan temples into Christian churches (for example, Pantheon)
Builds new Churches, especially at site of martyrdoms with money from Constantine (for example, St. Peters on Vatican Hill)

9. Constantine the Great and the Church
Builds Churches, with his mother Helen, in Holy Land (Church of Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, Church of Nativity in Bethlehem)
Moves against the Donatists in North Africa
Calls Council of Nicea to resolve the Arian controversy: The Nicene Creed
Builds the great city of Constantinople as New Rome
Dies in 337 (after murdering his wife and eldest son); baptized by an Arian bishop shortly before he dies
Initial reaction of Church is that the Christian kingdom has arrived
Constantine as another apostle; authority of bishop
Athanasius

10. Major Changes in 4th C Due to Constantine and his successors
Social and Political
Sunday as a day of rest
Constantinople as New Rome
Legal
Bishops could act as judges in their diocese (Roman administrative province)
Crucifixion prohibited
No branding of prisoners because mars image of God
Economic
Christian could not charge another Christian interest on a loan (sin of usury)
Christian clergy given tax relief
Churches could receive legacies
Athanasius

11. Major Issues Within the Church
Who are heroes now that there are no longer martyrs?
How to deal with new members who may be joining Church because it is politically expedient?
What is relation between bishops and civil rulers?
Evolves very differently in the East and West

12. Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea (260-341)
‘Father of Church History’
Much of what we know about biography of earlier figures comes from him
Gave sources of his informaiton, some no longer extant
Really thought that with Constantine the rule of Christ was being established
Tried to describe how God works in human history

13. Key Points in Eusebius’ Life of Constantine
Story of Battle of Milvian Bridge (I.29-39)
Laws favoring martyrs and Edict of Toleration (II.20-42)
Unity: Arianism and Donatism (II.61-66)
Easter to be observed on Sunday, not Passover (III.5)
Council of Nicea (III.6-21)
St. Helena and building Churches in Jerusalem (III.26-46)
Edict against heretics (gnostics) (III.64-65)
Sunday as day of rest (IV.18)
Constantine as bishop (IV.24)
Constantine’s Baptism and Death (IV.63-64)

14. Assignments Read Eusebius Life of Constantine, Books I, II, III
Read Benedict XVI, General Audience, 13 June 2007, Eusebius,
No Paper